SRINAGAR: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on January 13, the Special Protection Group (SPG) will arrive tomorrow to ensure tight security for the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel.
Official sources have confirmed to Kashmir Dot Com that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 6.5 km long tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, bypassing the avalanche-prone Gagangir-Sonamarg stretch.
The Z-Morh tunnel will significantly reduce travel time, enhancing year-round access to the popular tourist destination. It is expected to boost tourism, local employment, and military logistics. Additionally, this tunnel, along with the nearby Zoji-La tunnel, is set to improve connectivity to regions like Baltal, Kargil, and Ladakh, ensuring smoother travel even during harsh weather conditions.
Construction of the tunnel began in 2018, and it is part of an ambitious infrastructure initiative involving 31 tunnels, with 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh. The project faced significant challenges, including a terrorist attack in October 2024, in which seven civilians, including six non-local workers, lost their lives.
With the PM’s visit fast approaching, the SPG will coordinate security measures to ensure the safe and smooth inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel. The project is seen as a major step towards improving regional connectivity and strengthening the local economy. (KDC)
